Management School. MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert. Investment Analysis. University of Stirling Management School

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1 Management School MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert Investment Analysis University of Stirling Management School

2 The University of Stirling Management School MSc in Investment Analysis is the UK s longest established postgraduate level course in the field of investment management education. It is one of the very few Master s degrees in the UK to have CFA Institute Program Partner status and one of a select group of partner institutions worldwide. The CFA Institute is the global body of investment professionals that awards the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst qualification. The MSc Investment Analysis covers at least 70% of the material included in the CFA level I, II and III syllabus. This is agreat help to any student intending to sit these examinations. Elaine Calleja, MSc Investment Analysis, 2014 Badge of quality The success of Stirling s investment analysis students in reaching the UK final of the CFA Institute Research Challenge in seven out of last eight years a feat unmatched by any other UK Program Partner university indicates the elite status of our programme.

3 Preparing business leaders of the future Postgraduate education at the Management School goes beyond textbooks and lecture theatres by also focusing on professional and personal development, and building practical skills into the curricula. Our unique Flying Start Leadership programme, at the start of the academic year, equips students with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. Most importantly, by participating in this programme, you will be ready to embark upon your Master s course invigorated, prepared and committed to the learning journey ahead. Why study Investment Analysis at Stirling? 1. World-class qualification The Investment Analysis course has a reputation among employers for producing high-quality graduates with up-to-date specialist investment knowledge. This includes strong ethical and professional standards allied with practical skills that enable them to contribute effectively from day one of employment. There is a global demand for our students as a result of our partnership with the CFA Institute. 2. Exciting career prospects Our curriculum is designed to develop investment professionals who have the knowledge and skills to make a difference. Many of our alumni hold senior positions in the investment and banking industries; others have developed successful careers in related fields, such as financial media and business consultancy. 3. Global reputation Investment Analysis is among the most popular postgraduate courses at the University. It attracts some of the brightest students from the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. We provide a vibrant, intellectually challenging and welcoming environment for all of our students. 4. International expertise Teaching is delivered by experienced lecturers with strong research profiles and a deep commitment to advancing industry-relevant knowledge. The Research Excellence Framework, the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, has consistently judged most of our research activity to be of international significance.

4 The fact that the course is CFA-affiliated provides the student with an opportunity to impress potential employers and ultimately gain a foot in the door of some of the major players in the industry. James Bowden, MSc Investment Analysis, 2010 Developing real world expertise As part of the Management School s focus on enhancing graduate employability we offer an intensive trading Boot Camp for Master s students on our finance-related courses. Delivered on campus in conjunction with industry training specialist Amplify Trading, it bridges the gap between academic theories of financial markets and the real world. Students have the opportunity to trade in a simulated environment across a variety of futures contracts quoted on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which provides exposure to stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities. An Awards Ceremony concludes the week. The Stirling Amplify Trading Boot Camp won the CFA Institute s Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) Award in April For further information visit: Looking for a new career pathway? The course is designed to accommodate those with little or no previous knowledge of accounting or finance. It is a popular choice for graduates from a wide range of disciplines and for mature students refocussing their career strategies.

5 What is Investment Analysis? This is a discipline that involves the use of qualitative and quantitative techniques to value investments and to develop and evaluate portfolio management strategies. Investment analysts have the ability to extract essential information from financial reports and have expert knowledge of risk management tools such as derivatives. Investment Analysis includes examination and assessment of macroeconomic and financial market trends as well as the analysis of financial data relating to specific investments. Career opportunities Research ranking: The University of Stirling Management School ranks among the top 25 in the UK for business and management research. Investment analysts have career opportunities in both the buy side and the sell side of the investment industry. The buy side refers to those investing their own money or their client s money: for example, mutual funds, pension funds, insurance firms, hedge funds, private equity funds and high net worth individuals. The sell side refers to the broking firms and investment banks that track stocks and provide opinions of investment value that are available in the public domain, as opposed to the research created by buy side analysts that is only available internally. Recent graduates of the course have secured employment with companies such as Citibank, Investec Securities, JP Morgan and Standard Chartered Bank. I have learnt so much about the financial markets, the various players that exist and the different asset classes that are traded. I ve also had the opportunity to take decisions in real time based on economic news as it is released. Anthony Kyiu, MSc Investment Analysis, 2014

6 About the course The MSc Investment Analysis is a one-year, full-time course. It consists of two 15-week semesters of teaching followed by a supervised dissertation. Taught courses provide a structured framework for study through lectures, seminars, computer labs, group exercises, case studies and workshops. Over 70 percent of the content of CFA Levels I, II & III is covered on the taught modules of the Investment Analysis course. Upon successful completion of eight core modules, you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge by undertaking research on an area that matches your interests and career objectives. You may opt to produce an investment analysis case study of a specific company or an empirical analysis of an investment-related academic topic. Course content For further information on the course content, visit: Course structure Semester 1 Financial Reporting Methods for interpretation of reported accounting information are explored and applied to live data. Corporate Finance Provides an understanding of how corporations raise finance and how they invest money. Economics for Banking and Finance Introduces students to economics as a discipline, assuming no prior knowledge of economics, and focuses on aspects most relevant to careers in banking and finance. Quantitative Methods in Finance Provides the basic statistical and computing skills necessary to fully understand modern financial practices. Semester 2 Financial Statement Analysis Develops skills in the interpretation and use of financial statements, focusing on company valuation and identification of companies that may become insolvent. Derivatives Focuses on the uses and the pricing of the key derivative instruments: options, futures, forwards and swaps. Investments and Portfolio Management Provides an understanding of security valuation and portfolio management. Investment Regulation and Ethics Introduces investment regulation and covers the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, the key ethical benchmarks for investment professionals around the globe.

7 Entrance requirements You should have a good Honours degree, an equivalent professional qualification or relevant experience. A background in accounting or finance is not required, but you should be comfortable with the level of numeracy required to interpret statistics and financial reports. If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your proficiency. For details of English language requirements for this course, visit: uk/3f Fees, funding and scholarships The University of Stirling Management School is committed to investing in academically talented students. There are various categories of funding available to support the cost of your studies at the University of Stirling. Information on some of the funding and scholarship opportunities that are available to you can be found here: or scholarships At least two prestigious Karen Napier Scholarships are offered annually in the memory of Karen, a graduate of the course, with the generous support of the Karen Napier Charity. These scholarships meet course fees and include a maintenance award. Postgraduate study at Stirling On Campus Taking advantage of Scotland s outstanding natural scenery, the University of Stirling is an inspiring and peaceful place to study. Postgraduate students are offered campus accommodation and study areas conducive to working towards successful completion of a Master s degree. The University offers extensive indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a shopping precinct and arts centre. There is a large team of librarians and IT specialists available for one-to-one guidance with research skills and use of the University s high-tech learning environment. Assistive technologies are available for students with disabilities. Student and alumni support At the Management School we will support you in making the most of your time at Stirling. We have excellent links with major employers in business and industry and our Career Development Centre works closely with students in preparation for the transition to work. The relationship with students does not stop at graduation. We maintain links with our alumni through international events and social media.

8 Stirling Management School Student satisfaction The University of Stirling Management School consistently achieves high satisfaction ratings in national student surveys. The University was ranked No.1 in the international students survey for being a good place to be. Research excellence We are building our global reputation for academic excellence through a wide range of international research and education delivery partnerships. Stirling Management School has established successful international partnerships in several regions, including Asia and the Middle East. We are exploring additional sustainable overseas partnerships in order to attract the world s best academics to work with us and the most talented students to enrol on our courses. Accreditation and affiliation We are a member of the Association of Business Schools; the European Foundation for Management Development; in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute; and are signatories to the Principles for Responsible Management Education. A number of our taught programmes are recognised and accredited by professional bodies, including: the CFA Institute (MSc in Investment Analysis); ACCA (MSc International Accounting and Finance); ACCA, CIMA and ICAS (BAcc Accountancy); and the CiM (MSc Marketing). Contact information Programme Director: Dr Kevin Campbell Telephone: UK+44 (0) joanne.fairbrother@stir.ac.uk The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC For a list of photographers who have contributed to the University of Stirling photo library, visit: This publication can be made available in different formats. Please contact Student Recruitment and Admissions for further information: recruitment@stir.ac.uk Join our